Safety helmet liner and assembly



Sept. 14, 1965 w. w. cox

SAFETY HELMET LINER AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 2 1965 iql.

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SAFETY HELMET LINER AND ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2, 1965INVENTOR. Mm/z M Cox f A wow/a e Sept. 14, 1965 w. w. cox

SAFETY HELMET LINER AND ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 2 1965 INVEN TOR. Mum M/ Cox 70? @w A O/PNEYS United States Patent Ofiice3,205,508 Patented Sept. 14, 1965 3,205,508 SAFETY HELMET LINER ANDASSEMBLY Wiima W. Cox, 930 th Ave., New York 21, N.Y. Filed Dec. 2,1963, Ser. No. 327,359 Claims. (C1. 2-3) This invention relates tosafety helmets and more particularly to a winter liner therefor.

Safety helmets find increasingly wide use in construction trades andmany other types of industrial operations. The helmet is constructedwith a hard shell, usually plastic or the like, which generally isconstructed to fit all head sizes or at least a range of head sizes.Within the shell is mounted a head suspension assembly which includes anadjustable sweatband which is secured to the inner surface of the shellat a plurality of spaced positions by a variety of means. The headsuspension assembly also includes a plurality of crown straps which areattached at their lower ends to either the shell adjacent the sweatbandor to the sweatband itself and extend upwardly to join at their upperends to provide a cradle which maintains the head at a spaced positionfrom the inside top portion of the shell in order to protect the headfrom falling objects and the like during use. The head suspensionassembly may include adjustable cradle straps in addition to the fixedstraps in order to provide additional adjustability for different headsizes. Various adjustable means are disclosed and claimed in Patent3,046,559 issued July 31, 1962.

In order to provide additional protection for the neck and ears fromcold temperatures various types of insulated liners have been used inthe prior art principally involving chin straps for closing the lineragainst the side of the head. Such prior liners have been for a singleor at least a very small range of head sizes, thereby necessitating themaintenance of a large inventory of various sizes by any company usingthe safety helmets. Further, usually no means has been provided forreleasing the chin straps and anchoring the flaps or free ends of theliner to the helmet when desired due to increase in temperature or thelike, and as a result the user has been inclined to let the flaps of theliner hang loosely, thereby creating the inherent danger of catching theloose flaps in machinery, etc. In some instances, users have removed theliner from the helmet altogether because of the problems involved inanchoring the flaps in some manner away from the ears as abovementioned.

Another danger of the prior liners has been that with them buckled orotherwise secured downwardly and over the ears, sound has thereby beenmuffled and many accidents have resulted from the inability of the userto hear approaching vehicles or shouted warnings and the like.

The present invention provides a winter liner which eliminates orgreatly improves upon the prior liners by providing a single liner whichfits a wide range of head sizes, tag. 6 to 9; it is adapted for assemblywithin any safety helmet made or used throughout the world today; itprovides means, without buckles or straps, for anchoring the ear flapsagainst the neck during use and alternately for holding the flap ends upagainst the safety helmet itself when desired; and further providessound vents in the flaps themselves which provide increased soundtransmission through the flaps while yet retaining a certain degree ofprotection from the elements.

Briefly the safety helmet liner according to the present inventioncomprises a crown portion and a depending flap portion formed therewithhaving an elongated stretch fabric portion extending centrally acrossthe crown portion in a fore and aft direction and down through said flapportion to the base thereof. Side panels of the liner are joined torespective opposite sides of said elongated section and each have a pairof horizontal slits therein at spaced positions adapted to receive thehead harness straps of the helmet. Insulating fabric lining members areaflixed to the insides of the side panels and each side panel has asound vent or opening therein covered by a portion of its correspondingliner member and is located at the ear covering portion of the liner.Spring means is included in the base of said liner for releasablyholding said flap portion in alternate positions against the neck andupwardly against said helmet, said spring means including a plurality ofspring steel wires twisted around one another and having a relativelystraight intermediate portion and arcuate end portions adapted to lieclosely against the neck of the wearer.

Other embodiments of the invention as well as other objects and featuresthereof will become apparent in the following description and claims,and in the drawings in which- FIG. 1 is an isometric view of oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar isometric view;

FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly View of the same embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of another form of liner;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the hehnet assembly shownin FIGS. 13;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along lines 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric of the sweatband;

FiG. 8 is an isometric of the spring means;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary partial section of the spring means;and

FIG. 10 is an end view of the assembly.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 3 and 5 onearrangement according to the principles of the present invention isshown including the safety helmet 10 consisting of a hard plastic shellor the like, the liner 11, head suspension assembly 12 and sweatband 13.The helmet 10 has a strengthening ridge 14 extending from front to rearalong its crown and has a plurality of bosses 15 at spaced positionsaround rim 16 defining inner mounting grooves 17 (see also FIG. 6). Asuitable forwardly ex tending brim 18 is provided at the front of thehelmet.

The head suspension assembly 12, in the particular embodiment shown inFIG. 3, is comprised of a pair of straps 19 sewn or otherwise connectedtogether at cross over point 20 to provide four spaced depending straps21 having at their lower ends 22 rectangular anchoring slugs 23 adaptedfor insertion in mounting grooves 17 in helmet 10 and in additionmounting frames 24 with anchor pins 25 thereon for engagement withpreselected mounting slots 26 in sweatband 13. In addition the headsuspension assembly 12 includes shorter looped straps 27 aiiixed attheir lower ends 28 to the fixed straps 21 and interconnected at theirupper ends 29 by adjustable lace 30.

The liner 11 is comprised of a crown portion 31 and a depending flapportion 32 having an elongated stretch fabric section or gusset 33extending centrally across the crown portion 31 in a fore and aftdirection and down through flap portion 32 to the base 34 thereof (seealso FIG. 4). In the embodiment shown the gusset 33 is constituted by apair of symmetrical panels 35, 36 stitched together along a common seam37. The gusset 33 is made of stretch fabric such as Helanca and the likeand may be napped on the inside for greater warmth and comfort. Sidepanels 38 are sewn or otherwise joined to the side edges 39 of gusset 33and provide downwardly extending flap portions 40 terminating in baseportion 34 which extends around both side panels 38 and gusset 33 andcarries spring means 41 therein. Reinforced edging 42 may be providedaround the face portion 43 or liner 11.

Sound vents 44 are provided in each side panel 38 which are dimensionedand located in the side panels to lie adjacent the ear of the wearer.The side vents 44 are cut through the outer fabric 45 and havereinforced edging 46 of plastic, leather, or any other suitable materialas desired. The side panels 33 may be provided with an inner lining 47of jersey or the like to enhance to warmth and insulating properties.The material of the outer side panels 45 (see also FIG. 5) may be ofvinyl plastic, gray twill, etc. In order to retain the insulatingproperties and protect the ears the sound vents 44 are cut through theouter layer 45 of the side panel but not the inner liner 47 so that theinner liner completely covers the sound vents 44 while such constructionof the side panels 38 enhances the sound transmission propertiesthereof.

In the helmet assembly as shown in FIG. 5 in anchoring slugs 23 of thehead suspension are disposed upwardly into the downwardly facing slots17 in the helmet 1t) and are retained therein by a press fit. Such slugsare of plastic or any other suitable material. The straps 21 and 27associated with slugs 23 extend upwardly and inwardly through therespective slits 43 through side panels 38 and into the interior 49 ofthe helmet. The corresponding mounting frames 24 are disposed inwardlyof the liner .11 and their downwardly disposed anchor pins 25 engagerespective slots 26 in sweatband 13 to mount the latter within thehelmet as shown. Sweatband 13 is adjustable by means of peripherallyspaced holes 50 and pin 51 for a range of head sizes (see FIGS. 7 and10).

Spring means 41 is constructed of any suitable material such as springsteel wire having in the embodiment shown a main wire 52 having astraight intermediate portion 53 and arcuate end portions 54. A secondwire 55 is twisted around the first wire 52 throughout its length and isjoined at the ends 56 thereto by plastic tip members 57 (see also FIG.9).

In use the helmet and associated parts are assembled as above describedand the sweatband 13 is adjusted for the desired head size and thelooped straps 27 are adjusted by means of lace 30 for the crowndimension of the users head so that the helmet 10 fits the wearer asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The liner, as shown in FIG. 1, may be used withthe side panels 38 placed down over the ears of the wearer and they willbe maintained in that position around the neck of the wearer by thespring means 41 within base portion 34. When desired the user may swingthe fiap portion 32 upwardly and over the helmet to the position shownin FIG. 2 where it will be retained by the same spring means 41 closeagainst the helmet and exposing the neck and ears of the wearer whendesired.

Due to the stretch fabric construction of gusset 33 the helmet liner isself-adjusting for a preselected range of head sizes. The liner 11 isalso provided with a plurality of vetricaltabs 58 being attached to theliner 11 at their upper ends 59 by sewing or other well known means andare removably secured at their lower ends 60 by strap means 61 or otherconventional fastener. With the latter straps 58 the liner can be usedin safety helmets where it might be desired to have the liner 11completely Within the helmet construction to lie against the head of thewearer. The straps 58 permit location of the sweatband outside of theliner 11 and the liner is held in the helmet by means of the straps 58being fastened around the sweatband.

It can thus be seen that the above construction provides all of theobjects aforementioned with the many advantages over prior artstructures. While certain embodiments of the invention have beendescribed and shown herein it is to be understood that certain changesand additions may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A liner for a safety helmet of the type having an outer hard shelland an inner head suspension assembly including an adjust-able sweatbandand a plurality of crown straps interconnected therewith adapted tosupport the inner surface of said shell at a spaced position from thewearers head, said liner being adapted to fit any head size and to coverthe sides of the head down to the neck below the ears comprising a crownportion and .a depending flai'p portion formed therewith, an elongatedstretch fabric section extending centrally across said crown portion ina fore and aft direction and down through said flap portion to the basethereof, side panels in said liner joined to respective opposite sidesof said section, means on said liner adapted for interconnecting saidliner with the head suspension assembly, respective insulating fabriclining members aflixed to said side panels, each side panel having anopening rtherein covered by a portion of its lining member and located.at the ear covering portion of said liner, and spring means at the baseof said liner for releasably holding said flap .portion in alternatepositions around the neck and over a portion of said helmet, said springmeans including a plurality of spring steel wires twisted around oneanother.

2. A liner for a sa'fety helmet of the type having an outer hard shelland an inner head suspension assembly including .an adjustablesweatban-d and a plurality of crown straps interconnected therewithadapted to support the inner surface of said shell at a spaced positionfrom the 'wearers head, said liner being adapted to fit any head sizeand to cover the sides of the head down to the neck below the earscomprising .a crown portion and a depending flap portion formedtherewith, an elongated stretch fabric section extending centrallyacross said crown portion in a fore and aft direction and down throughsaid flap portion to the base thereof, side panels in said liner joinedto respective opposite sides of said section, means on said lineradapted for interconnecting said liner with the head suspensionassembly, respective insulating fabric lining members aflixed to saidside panels, each side panel having an opening therein covered by aportiono'f its lining member and located at the ear covering portion ofsaid liner, and spring means at the base of said liner for releasablyholding said flap portion in alternate positions around the neck andover a portion of said helmet, said spring means including a pluralityof spring steel wires twisted around one another with plastic tipmembers joining the ends.

'3. A liner for a safety helmet of the type having an outer hard shelland an inner head suspension assembly including an adjustable sweatbandand .a plurality of crown straps interconnected therewith adapted tosupport the inner surface of said shell at a spaced position from thewearers head, said liner being adapted to fit any head size and to coverthe sides of the head down to the neck below the ears co'rnprising acrown portion and a depending flap portion formed therewith, anelongated stretch fabric section extending centrally across said crownportion in a fore and aft direction and down through said ila'p portionto the base thereof, side panels in said liner oined to respectiveopposite sides of said section, means on said liner adapted forinterconnecting said lin'er with the head suspension assembly,respective insulating fabric lining members aflixed to said side panels,each side panel having an opening therein covered by a portion of itslining member and located at the ear covering portion of said liner, andspring means at the base of said liner for releasably holding said flap.po'rtion in alternate positions around the neck and over a portion ofsaid helmet, said spring means including a plurality of spring steelwires twisted around one another with plastic tip members joining theends having a relatively straight intermediate portion and arcuate endportions adapted to lie closely against the neck of the 'wearer.

4. A liner for a safety helmet of the type having an outer hard shelland an inner head suspension assembly including an adjustable sweatibandand a plurality of crown straps interconnected therewith adapted tosupport the inner surface of said shell at a spaced position from thewearers head, said liner being adapted to fit any head size and to coverthe sides of the head down to the neck below the ears comprising a crownportion and 21 depending flap portion formed therewith, an elongatedstretch fabric section extending centrally across said crown portion .ina fore and aft direction and down through said flap portion to the basethereof, side panels in said liner joined to respective opposite sidesof said section, a plurality of tabs at spaced positions on said liner,said tabs being adapted to span respective portions of the safety helmetsweatband as assembled in said helmet, respective insulating fabriclining members affixed to said side panels, each side panel having anopening therein covered by a portion of its lining member and located atthe ear covering portion of said liner, and spring means at the base ofsaid liner for releasably holding said flap portion in alternatepositions around the neck and over a portion of said helrne't, saidspring means including a plurality of spring steel wires twisted aroundone another with plastic tip members joining the ends and having arelatively straight intermediate portion and arcuate end portionsadapted to lie closely against the neck of the wearer.

5. A liner for a safety helmet of the type having an outer hard shelland an inner head suspension assembly including an adjustable sweatbandand a plurality of crown straps interconnected therewith adapted tosupport the inner surface of said shell at a spaced position from thewearers head, said liner being adapted to fit any head size and to coverthe sides of the head down to the neck below the ears comprising a crownportion and a depending flap portion formed therewith, an elongatedstretch fabric section extending centrally across said crown portion ina fore and aft direction and down through said flap portion to the basethereof, side panels in said liner joined to respective opposite sidesof said section, a pinrality of tabs at spaced positions on said linerbeing releasably attached thereto on at least one end of said tabs, saidtabs being adapted to span respective portions of the safety helmetsweatband as assembled in said helment, respective insulating fabriclining members atfixed to said side panels, each side panel having anopening therein covered by a portion of its lining member and located atthe ear covering portion of said liner, and spring means at the base ofsaid liner for releasably holding said flap portion in alternatepositions around the neck and over a porttion of said helmet, saidspring means including a plurali'ty of spring steel wires twisted aroundone another with plastic tip members joining the ends and having arelatively straight intermediate portion and arcuate end portionsadapted to lie closely against the neck of the wearer.

6. A liner for a safety helmet of the type having an outer hard shelland an inner head suspension assembly including an adjustable sweatbandand a plurality of crown straps interconnected therewith adapted tosupport the inner surface of said shell at a spaced position from thewearers head, said liner being adapted to fit any head size and to coverthe sides of the head down to the neck below the ears comprising a crownportion and a depending flap portion formed therewith, an elongatedstretch fabric section extending centrally across said crown portion in.a fore and aft direction and down through said flap portion to the basethereof, side panels in said liner joined to respective opposite sidesof said section, a plurality of vertical tabs at spaced ipositions onsaid liner being releasably attached thereto on at least one end of saidtabs, said tabs being adapted to span respective portions of the safetyhelmet sweatband as assembled in said helmet, respective insulatingfabric lining members affixed to said side panels, each side panelhaving an opening therein covered by a portion of its lining member andlocated at the ear covering portion of said liner, and spring means atthe base of said liner for releasably holding said flap portion inalternate positions around the neck and over a portion of said helmet,said spring means including a plurality of spring steel wires twistedaround one another with plastic tip members joining the ends and havinga relatively straight intermediate portion and arcuate end portionsadapted to lie closely against the neck of the wearer.

'7. A liner for a safety helmet of the type having an outer hard shelland an inner head suspension assembly including an adjustable sweatbandand a plurality of crown straps interconnected therewith adapted tosupport the inner surface of said shell at a spaced position from thewearers head, said liner being adapted to fit any head size and to coverthe sides of the head down to the neck below the ears comprising a crownportion and a depending ll-ap portion formed therewith, an elongatedstretch fabric section extending centrally across said crown portion ina fore and aft direction and down through said flap portion to the basethereof, side panels in said liner joined to respective opposite sidesof said section and having a pair of horizontal slits therein at spacedpositions adapted to receive the head harness straps of said helmet,respective insulating fabric lining members afiixed to said side panels,each side panel having an opening therein covered by a portion of itslining member and located at the ear covering portion of said liner, andspring means at the base of said liner for releasably holding said flapportion in alternate positions around the neck and over a portion ofsaid helmet, said spring means including a plurality of spring steelwires twisted around one another with plastic tip members joining theends and having a relatively straight intermediate portion and arcuateend portions adapted to lie closely against the neck of the wearer.

8. In combination a safety helmet having an inner head suspensionassembly including an adjustable sweatband and a plurality of crownstraps interconnected therewith adapted to support the inner surface ofsaid shell at a spaced position from the wearers head, a fabric lineradapted to fit any head size comprised of a crown portion disposedsubstantially within said helmet and a depending flap portion formedtherewith extending beneath said helmet, said liner having an elongatedstretch fabric section extending across said crown portion in a fore andaft direction, side panels in said liner joined to respective oppositesides of said section and each having a pair of slits therein at spacedpositions receiving a respective one of said crown straps therethroughwith said sweatband being disposed inside of said liner, insulatinglining members on each of said side panels, said side panels each havingan ear opening therein covered by its lining member, and spring means atthe base of said liner for releasably holding said flap portion inalternate positions around the neck and over a portion of said helmet.

9. In combination a safety helmet having an inner head suspensionassembly including an adjustable sweatband and a plurality of crownstraps interconnected therewith adapted to support the inner surface ofsaid shell at a spaced position from the wearers head, a fabric lineradapted to fit any head size comprised of a crown portion disposedsubstantially within said helmet and a depending flap portion formedtherewith extending beneath said helmet, said liner having an elongatedstretch fabric section extending centrally across said crown portion ina fore and aft direction, side panels in said liner joined to respectiveopposite sides of said section, a plurality of tabs on said linerspanning respective portions of said sweatband and detachably connectedthereto, insulating lining members on each of said side panels, saidside panels each having an ear opening therein covered by its liningmember, and Spring means at the base of said liner for releasablyholding said flap portion in alternate positions around the neck andover a portion of said helmet, said spring means including a pluralityof spring steel wires twisted around one another.

Iii. In combination a safety helmet having an inner head suspensionassembly including an adjustable sweatband and a plurality of crownstraps interconnected therewith adapted to support the inner surface ofsaid shell at a spaced position from the wearers head, a fabric lineradapted to fit any head size comprised of a crown portion disposedsubstantially within said helmet and a depending fiap portion formedtherewith extending beneath said helmet, said liner having an elongatedstretch fabric section extending centrally across said crown portion ina fore and aft direction and down through said flap portion to the basethereof, side panels in said liner joined to respective opposite sidesof said section, a plurality of tabs on said liner, said liner spanningrespective portions of said sweatband and detachably connected thereto,insulating lining members on each of said side panels, said side panelseach having an ear opening therein covered by its lining member, andspring means at the base of said liner for releasably holding said flapportion in alternate positions around the neck and over a portion ofsaid helmet, said spring means including a plurality of spring steelwires twisted around one another with plastic tip members joining theends and having a relatively straight intermediate portion and arcuateend portions adapted to lie closely against the neck of the wearer.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Miller 2--208Goldstein 2-201 Grurnbach 2201 Heilstedt et a1. 23 Catalane et a1. 23Karabin 2--3 Freedman 26 Dahlstedt 2172 Radnofsky et a1 26 X Portis 2172Woodbury 2-172 Finken et a1 26 X Ruggiero 23 Aileo 2--3 Zbikowski 23Austin 23 France.

JORDAN FRANKLIN,PI-imary Examiner.

1. A LINER FOR A SAFETY HELMET OF THE TYPE HAVING AN OUTER HARD SHELLAND AN INNER HEAD SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY INCLUDING AN ADJUSTABLE SWEATBANDAND A PLURALITY OF CROWN STRAPS INTERCONNECTED THEREWITH ADAPTED TOSUPPORT THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID SHELL AT A SPACED POSITION FROM THEWEARER''S HEAD, SAID LINER BEING ADAPTED TO FIT ANY HEAD SIZE AND TOCOVER THE SIDES OF THE HEAD DOWN TO THE NECK BELOW THE EARS COMPRISING ACROWN PORTION AND A DEPENDING FLAP PORTION FORMED THERWITH, AN ELONGATEDSTRETCH FABRIC SECTION EXTENDING CENTRALLY ACROSS SAID CROWN PORTION INA FORE AND AFT DIRECTION AND DOWN THROUGH SAID FLAP PORTION TO THE BASETHEREOF, SIDE PANELS IN SAID LINER JOINED TO RESPECTIVE OPPOSITE SIDESOF SAID SECTION, MEANS ON SAID LINER ADAPTED FOR INTERCONNECTING SAIDLINER WITH THE HEAD SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY, RESPECTIVE INSULATING FABRICLINING MEMBERS AFFIXED TO SAID SIDE PANELS, EACH SIDE PANEL HAVING ANOPENING THEREIN COVERED BY A PORTION OF ITS LINING MEMBER AND LOCATED ATTHE EAR COVERING PORTION OF SAID LINER, AND SPRING MEANS AT THE BASE OFSAID LINER FOR RELEASABLY HOLDING SAID FLAP PORTION IN ALTERNATEPOSITIONS AROUND THE NECK AND OVER A PORTION OF SAID HELMET, SAID SPRINGMEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SPRING STEEL WIRES TWISTED AROUND ONEANOTHER.